UAE group hosts learning festival for staff

Dubai, January 18, 2012

UAE conglomerate Albatha Group said it has embarked on a corporate training record and aims to train and empower over 4000 employees from 22 group companies in three days.

As part of this, the Emirati group is organizing a learning festival from January 20 to 22 for its employees across all 22 group companies spread across automotive, consumer, engineering, home products, real estate, healthcare, household and personal care sectors.

The ‘Albatha Learning Festival’ has been initiated to stimulate beginning of a cultural change and is aimed at transforming the group into a “learning organization,” said a senior official.

A total of 126 sessions will be held in 3 days for over 4000 employees ranging from safety, creativity and innovation, to management and leadership programs covering all levels of employees in the group.

"It is one of its kind in the group's history, wherein Albatha comes together as one big family. We aim to be one of the pioneering multinationals in the UAE adopting global best practices," remarked Ishaque Noor, Albatha’s group managing director.

"Albatha have embarked on a journey towards becoming a ‘learning organization’ as it takes its first big step to promote a learning culture within its operating groups and companies, by organizing this event,” he added.

In addition to several of its own brands such as Star, Arctic Gold, Al Areesh, Super General, E-City, Glenda, Amara, Taj among others.

Learning and development is a continuous process and it is not only beneficial for the employee and the company but also the economy as a whole.

This festival is a concept initiated by the members of Albatha learning and development team led by Sabiha Kazi, Group learning and development manager.

“Learning and development is an integral part of human resource development. This is the process of changing an organization, in order to maintain a competitive advantage,” Kazi added.

‘Decide’ a nonprofit program under the umbrella of Albatha healthcare group will run awareness and screening campaign for diabetes for all employees participating in the festival.

Also Ministry of Health, Sharjah Medical District, Department of Health Education & Promotion has organized an “Anti Smoking” campaign for Albatha employees during the festival.-TradeArabia News Service